Small Business – Page 11

The two types of entrepreneurs/start-ups that have surprised me

I am contacted frequently by entrepreneurs or individuals starting their own business. They contact me because they may have learned that I have been an entrepreneur since I was 23 years of age and have been involved in a wide range of entrepreneurial/commercial activity across a range of industries. I make the most of my… Continue reading The two types of entrepreneurs/start-ups that have surprised me

Stories and storytelling-what is the point?

Stories are a way we give meaning to our activity and life. We can choose the stories we tell ourselves, and it is vitally important that we choose the right one. Take three men working on a construction site laying blocks. One guy says he is a blocklayer. One guy says he is building a… Continue reading Stories and storytelling-what is the point?

Active listening for effective communication

Managing and communicating well is greatly dependent on listening. Not just ordinary, everyday listening but intentional, active listening. It turns out that when we are listening there is an 8 second buffer at work. In other words, we can be watching tv or doing something and someone can be speaking to you. You may not… Continue reading Active listening for effective communication

Managing and communication-the stunning power of asking questions

The person asking the questions is in control in a relationship. Asking questions is far more effective than making declarative statements. Good questions are closely connected to listening. When you see what the other person is looking at, what facts and circumstances they believe, then you can understand them. Nobody says or does something stupid… Continue reading Managing and communication-the stunning power of asking questions

5 steps to a logos based persuasive speech

We know that Aristotle wrote the seminal work on the art of persuasion when he wrote “Rhetoric”. We know, too, that he identified three fundamentals in persuading: How do you make a logos based persuasive speech? Persuasive speech, remember, is the basis of excellent communication.

The structure of communication to aid a shared objective

One effective way to structure communication and ensure you can persuade is to use four stages: These four steps allow you to bring the other person through certain steps to arrive at a shared solution or answer. This allows you both to be on the same side. The alternative is to impose an answer from… Continue reading The structure of communication to aid a shared objective

How to build trust

In order to build trust, you must first earn it. Trust comes from Avoid self-orientation and focusing on “I”.

Persuasion-the fundamentals

Persuasion is not about manipulation. It is about leading the other to arrive at a decision which they recognise as beneficial for them, or at least the right decision in the circumstances. Aristotle wrote a seminal work about persuasion and identified three elements to persuade: I have written previously about Aristotle and persuasion.